IRVINE, CA--(Marketwired - August 17, 2015) - American Industrial Systems, Inc. (AIS) the leader of open architecture, HMIs, Touch Panel Computers, Industrial PCs (IPCs), Industrial Box PCs, Industrial DIN-Rail PCs, and Industrial Thin Clients, has developed a New Video presenting the Field Replaceable Unit (FRU) scheme behind the design of their portfolio of smart touch panel PCs. The FRU design scheme of their smart HMI touch panels help manufacturers and OEMs dramatically reduce maintenance and service costs for industrial automation, control and monitoring applications. FRUs or Field Replaceable Units are key components or parts that can be quickly and easily removed from an industrial computer without having to send the entire product or system to a repair facility for diagnostics and service. FRUs reduce system downtime costs and lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). FRUs also allow technicians lacking in-depth product knowledge or technical electronics expertise to easily diagnose and isolate faults and then replace faulty components.

AIS's Smart, Industrial HMI Touch Panels offer several components that are easily replaceable. They are accessible via a hatch right below, or on the backside of the Industrial Box PC unit. The removal of four screws makes it easy to gain access to several important serviceable components that can be removed and replaced in the field. The FRUs in AIS's touch panel systems include: a RAM slot for upgraded memory; a dedicated disaster recovery drive; a Bio battery which can be replaced with a common CR2032 battery; and a fuse for system protection.

System Modularity and FRU Design Scheme Makes AIS's Smart Touch Panels Easy-to-Maintain and Service While Increasing Automation System Uptime

AIS's previously released "System Modularity" Video addresses and presents how their portfolio of HMI touch panels and industrial IPCs have four key modular system components for fast and easy assembly without the aid of any hand tools. The four modular system components that make up AIS's intelligent family of Premium and Standard touch panels include: industrial box PC, integrated touchscreen display, power supply and removable hard drive. In addition to quick and easy assembly, these modular system components also offer many field service and maintenance benefits, as they can be removed and replaced in the field by service technicians with minimal technical expertise and training. When combined with the internal components that can be easily serviced and replaced, and their popular open architecture design, advanced features and ruggedness, AIS's smart HMIs provide customers a complete, powerful, serviceable and cost effective HMI solution for all their Industrial Automation (IA) applications.

Increasing Uptime and Reliability, While Reducing IA Systems Downtime Costs is Important for Achieving Production Quotas & Goals

Automation system uptime is extremely important for manufacturing companies needing to meet key performance metrics, production goals and profitability. In some applications, downtime can cost companies thousands of dollars per hour in lost revenue. Therefore, it is important that all equipment and machines used in manufacturing processes are highly reliable, but can also be quickly serviced and replaced while minimally disrupting production. AIS's Modular Build and FRU Design Scheme help manufacturers to achieve their production goals with maximum system uptime.

In addition to serviceability benefits, AIS's Smart HMIs dedicated disaster recovery drive offers customers system uptime benefits. The disaster recovery drive resides right inside the Box PC unit of the Premium and Standard interfaces. This dedicated drive is user configurable and can be used to store important system data including system back up information. This eliminates any frantic searching for back up recovery disks and allows users to get their systems back up and running quickly.

About AIS

Headquartered in Irvine, California, USA, American Industrial Systems, Inc. (AIS) offers in-house electronic and mechanical design, software development, manufacturing, production and quality control services. Offering one of the widest ranges of industrial computing solutions, AIS solutions are available in a multitude of configurations for industrial, oil & gas, military and marine applications. The company is fully committed to empowering, improving and delivering turnkey HMI, monitoring and display solutions for OEM, ODM and end-user customers. AIS is an ISO 9001:2008 certified supplier and manufacturer of rugged computers and displays, and received completion of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) registration from the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC). For more information, visit: www.aispro.com, email: sales@aispro.com or contact: 1-888-485-6688.